She was born Dec. 28, 1948, to Robert and Darlyne Peterson. She grew up in Billings, was active in Girl Scouts and became a counselor to younger girls. She was a devoted Christian.

After graduating from Senior High School, she and a friend, Cheri Hoffman, spent nine months touring and working in Europe. When she returned, she married and relocated to Decatur, Ill., where she had three children.

As a single mother, she attended college and at age 38 graduated from Millikin University with a degree in education. She then taught at Little People’s Prep School and in Decatur Public Schools.

She returned to Billings in 1993 and married Michael Ausen of Billings. In Billings she was a lead teacher at Little Seeds Day Care for seven years before becoming the lead teacher at Shirley’s Place, St. Vincent Healthcare’s day care. She taught there for eight years.